Calabash International Literary Festival

“Thanks to big-mouthed people like me, the heavenly literary festival, 22 years ago a gathering of 300 people in a small Jamaican fishing village, now attracts some 3,000 people from across the globe… Here’s the good news, though: No amount of popularity can taint the divinity of Calabash. It’s simply too inherently, well, correct.”

Thank you Baz Dreisinger Forbes.

Read more at https://www.forbes.com/sites/bazdreisinger/2023/06/20/five-lessons-for-the-world-from-calabash-international-literary-festival-in-jamaica/amp/

Five Lessons For The World From Calabash International Literary Festival In Jamaica After a five-year hiatus, the beloved literary festival in Jamaica returns—with lessons for a troubled world.

“Is This the World's Most Glamorous Book Club? The Calabash International Literary Festival brings titans and fans of literature alike to the Jamaican seaside.”

“It’s a spectacular, colorful three-day celebration of words, life, and endurance through literature, music, and conversation…”

Thank you .





Read more at

Is This the World's Most Glamorous Book Club? The Calabash International Literary Festival brings titans and fans of literature alike to the Jamaican seaside.

Big big tings! We are absolutely elated to be in *print* in today’s New York Times - front page of the Arts Section! 🗞️✨ The New York Times The New York Times Books




Read more:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/books/literary-festivals-calabash-jamaica.html

“It wasn’t only Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, that was illuminated by the Calabash International Literary Festival two weekends ago. All of Jamaica was lit up.” Read more.

Carolyn Cooper | Calabash Festival lit up Jamaica It wasn’t only Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, that was illuminated by the Calabash International Literary Festival two weekends ago. All of Jamaica was lit up. That’s a clever pun by Kwame Dawes, co-founder programmer for the festival. Literature is...

“The respected food writer, who is now the host of her own series Taste The Nation, minced no words as she spoke candidly about the importance of using her platform to open the minds, hearts, and of course mouths of her viewers to the intricacies of meals from places across the world and the influences behind them.”

Read more about Padma Lakshmi’s time with us at Calabash.

Padma Lakshmi’s taste of Jamaica Former host of Top Chef, model, actress, author and activist, Padma Lakshmi, graced the stage at the Calabash International Literary Festival in St Elizabeth last month to talk all things food and travel with Kei Miller. The respected food writer,...

“I’ve been to literary festivals all over the world, and none of them has the allure of Calabash,” said [Linton Kwesi] Johnson after his appearance. “Something happens here that happens no place else,” echoed , a writer and literary podcaster whose conversations with leading authors have been a fixture on the Calabash stage. “And that’s due to the incredible soul of the place.”

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/books/literary-festivals-calabash-jamaica.html

Thank you Anderson Tepper .masuike

“The fusion of literature, music and the St Elizabeth rustic beauty made for a weekend to remember. Treasure Beach, forever etched as a haven for literature and art, will eagerly await the return of this celebration of the written word.” Read more.

The Return Of Calabash: A Literary Gem On The Rock - Jamaica Observer And just like that! From Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, the picturesque coastal town of Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth played host to the much-loved literary extravaganza, Calabash. The bi...

“Calabash is not a festival of pomp and who knows who. It’s an experience where you’ll sit next to a Pulitzer Prize-winning author or Oscar-nominated actress, share a rum punch and move into a midnight concert replete with dancehall and Afrobeat tunes. Here it’s art, not titles, that takes center stage.”

Jamaica’s Treasure Beach Is Home To Cove-Filled Black Sand Beaches — And The 'Best Likkle' Literary Festival In The World | Essence We were there as the Calabash International Literary Festival made its return after five years with help from today's biggest authors, poets and stars.

Please share.

The Calabash International Literary Festival Trust relies on donations + grants in order to fulfill its mission.

Help us to keep Calabash going. You can donate by PayPal, Lynk or directly.

All links here: calabashfestival.org/donate/

“Igniting the imagination of literature lovers who travelled to the coastal community for the popular and one-of-a-kind event, Calabash lacked nothing in creativity, entertainment + education.”



Read more.

Something Extra | Thursday The sun has set on another spectacular staging of the Calabash International Literary Festival held in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, over the weekend. Igniting the imagination of literature lovers who travelled to the coastal community for the...

“Lakshmi's [Padma Lakshmi] visit to Jamaica not only allowed her to engage with the vibrant local literary scene but also offered her a chance to delve into the island's rich culinary heritage. Through her Instagram recording, she shared her awe and delight at the discovery of the local delicacies. without a doubt, her foodie following was living vicariously through her.”



Read more.

Padma Lakshmi Gets A Taste Of Jamaica - Jamaica Observer Renowned Indian-born American author, Emmy-nominated producer, television host, and food expert Padma Lakshmi recently embarked on a culinary exploration of The Rock. While attending the 15th stag...

45 MILLION impressions… and counting.
Thank YOU everybody! 🤗



Gone way past 2018 numbers… and still going.

Grateful, truly.

The more noise everybody makes for Calabash, the more we are able to do this again and again. Big help.

THANK YOU! 🙏🏽❤️

Huge thanks to our wonderful sponsors for all the support to help make Calabash 2023: For Word happen. We were thrilled to work with you. Onward, upward and forward to 2025!

Audible
VisitJamaica
Jakes Resort
Tourism Enhancement Fund
US Embassy Jamaica
WATA
High Commission of Canada in Jamaica



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“Book bags were slung over shoulders and conversations echoed through Treasure Beach. After a long hiatus, the much-loved festival had returned and patrons were beyond excited for the event. Writers, artistes, celebrities and all kinds of creatives could be found in every inch of the venue in the breadbasket parish.” Read more.

Something Extra | Monday The 2023 Calabash International Literary Festival moved ‘for word’ on Friday night, treating guests to powerful discussions, perspectives and performances and a diverse local market. Book bags were slung over shoulders and conversations echoed...

““It is always a good vibe. Because of the kind of festival that Calabash is, it always attracts people who want deeper stories. It is not really the superficial audience that comes here. Calabash attracts people who are into vibe and earthiness, so it is a great place for me. I don’t have to be anybody else, but myself,” she [Tanya Stephens] said.”

Calabash opening night delivers with live entertainment The moon, high in the sky, glistened on Treasure Beach Friday night as the Calabash International Literary Festival returned to St Elizabeth after a five-year hiatus. Moving ‘For-Word’ into the three-day event, Friday Night’s Calabashment: Live and...

“With a profound emphasis on community engagement, the festival stood as a cultural phenomenon, leaving a lasting impression on both locals and visitors alike.” Read more here.

Calabash showcases vibrancy of literature, St Elizabeth community spirit The 2023 staging of the Calabash International Literary Festival held in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, over the weekend was a shining display of the vibrancy and vigour within the Caribbean literary and creative space. Following a five-year hiatus...

Big tings! Angelina Jolie, Padma Lakshmi and Sarita Choudhury spotted Calabashing in their seats awaiting the start of the “Laurels and Laureates” reading featuring Kei Miller, Andrew Motion and Olive Senior.

📷

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olive

Angelina Jolie
Padma Lakshmi
Kei Miller

Calabash Sunday vibes set .dawes ✨

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Olive Senior
Andrew Motion
Johnathan Escoffery
Padma Lakshmi
Sadie Jones

Reasonings .dawes with Jeremy Poynting and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

As introduced by : Big man tings. Indeed.



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NEW DAUGHTERS OF AFRICA
in conversation with Margaret Busby
Yvonne Bailey-Smith
Taiye Selasi
Namwali Serpell

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“People, we are at Calabash!” - .dawes

The moment we have all been waiting for.

Ready wi ready…
dawes organizing for later. Book pic is authors’ books for 1st session - Caribbean Complexities.

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Lovely day for a breeze out to the world famous Floyd’s Pelican Bar. A little R&R for our visiting authors, Treasure Beach style 🙂

In just a few hours, we’ll all be gathered under the tent… finally. Ready.

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We’re smiling with the rising sun this beautiful Calabash morning. ☀️

Check out the programme for the weekend. Later will be greater, indeed.

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Vibes, 2023 edition ✨

Just one more sleep…

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

Book lovers across the island are in for a treat as author Curdella Forbes is set to grace the calabash stage on May 26th.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

🗣️ Announcement 📢



Ok gentle people.
It’s that time again.

Plz + thx to help us spread the word about “the greatest likkle festival in the greatest likkle district in the greatest likkle country in the world” - the one and only in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica 🇯🇲

When you’re posting about the festival, please use these hashtags - - so that people *all over the world* can follow along, connect, participate, share in the experience and make plans to come next time 😁

Please tell a friend and share.

Visit calabashfestival.org

“I remain convinced that conversation + exchange is at the heart of what is important - what keeps us vital. And that also our lack of it, generally speaking, is at the heart of the problems we have.” - .

Counting down to this special conversation with . Sharp intellect and insightful reasoning. We are ready.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

Schedule + more: calabashfestival.org

Get ready for an unforgettable literary experience on May 27th where Jeremy Poynting and Linton Kwesi Johnson will converse with Kwame Dawes at the Calabash stage.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

Calabash welcomes daughter of our island, who fell off her island, Yvonne Bailey-Smith on Sat morning

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲


For the schedule and more, visit
www.calabashfestival.org

🔊 Wake the town and tell the people… Calabashment: Dance A Keep! 🎶

Ready up for - - rocking afrobeats and reggae / dancehall - throwback to present. Saturday May 27th.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

Join Cathy Park Hong on May 26th for an evening of inspiring words at the Calabash stage. Don't miss it!

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲


For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

Discover a night of moving poetry as Andrew Motion takes the Calabash Stage on May 27th. An opportunity not to be missed.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

Next week, this time.

If you know, you know.

If you don’t, you should.

If you’re returning, so nice to have you back.

If you’re about to join us for the first time, welcome to the Calabash family.

📍 The Calabash Stage, Jakes Resort

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

As we prepare for the Calabash Festival 2023, let's take a trip down memory lane to Naomi Cowan's mesmerizing performance in 2018. We're excited for this year's lineup of talented performers who will showcase their gifts at the Calabash stage, full of energy and creativity.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org

Get ready to fall in love with the writing of Nicole Krauss on May 27th at the calabash stage.

Calabash 2023: For Word
Fri, May 26 - Sun, May 28
📍 Treasure Beach 🇯🇲

For the schedule and more, visit calabashfestival.org